Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell

About Terry Lee Marzell

Terry Lee Marzell holds a bachelor's degree in English from Cal State Fullerton and a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Cal State San Bernardino. She also holds a certificate for Interior Design Level 1 from Mt. San Antonio College. She has been an educator in the Corona Norco Unified School District for more than 30 years.

Former teacher Dan Finkel earns national recognition for innovative math curriculum

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Former Seattle elementary school teacher Dan Finkel earned national recognition in 2022 for his innovative mathematics curriculum. Photo: Linked In

I always enjoy sharing stories about creative educators who have earned accolades for their innovative curriculum. One of these is Dan Finkel, a teacher from Seattle, Washington, who founded a math game and curriculum company called Math for Love. For his work, Dan garnered national attention from the National Museum of Mathematics.

“I decided that teaching math is the most important contribution I can make to the world,” declares Dan. “I’ve devoted much of my life to understanding and teaching the motivation, history, aesthetics, and deep structure of mathematics,” he continues. “My goal is to give everyone the chance to fall in love with mathematics. Whether you excel or struggle, whether you’re a teacher or student, parent or child, if you want to learn what math is really about, I can help,” he concludes.

The National Museum of Mathematics specifically applauded Dan for his lesson entitled “The Billiard Ball Problem” in 2022. The lesson explores the geometry of reflections by guiding students to observe the patterns a billiard ball makes when it is shot diagonally from a corner of a rectangular table. The students then conduct mathematical processes to predict what corner the ball will travel to.

Today, as an educator of teachers and students, Dan works with schools, develops curriculum, leads teacher workshops, invents board games, and gives talks on mathematics and education. He is one of the creators of Prime Climb, a mathematical board game. He contributes regularly to the New York Times Numberplay blog and hosts Seattle’s Julia Robinson Math Festival annually.

The former classroom teacher earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Swathmore College in 2002. He earned a PhD in Algebraic Geometry from the University of Washington in 2010. He taught grades 4—12 at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights from 2002 to 2004.

To check out Dan Finkel’s website and examine his free lessons and materials, click on this link to Math for Love.

 

Sp ed teacher Connie O’Brien also served in the Kansas House of Reps

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Former special education teacher Connie O’Brien served four terms in the Kansas State House of Representatives. Photo: Kansas Legislature

Many fine classroom educators go on to successful careers in politics. One of these is Connie O’Brien, a former special education social studies teacher in Kansas, who was elected to serve in her state’s House of Representatives.

Connie was born on Oct. 12, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri. While she was a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and Secondary Education from St. Mary College of Leavenworth in 1966. Once her education was completed, she was employed as a special education teacher in Basehor-Linwood schools, and as a substitute teacher in the Leavenworth and McLouth Districts.

Connie inaugurated her career in politics when she was elected on the Republican ticket to represent her state’s 42nd District in 2008. The 42nd District covers the western half of Leavenworth County, including Tonganoxie, Easton, and a portion of Leavenworth, as well as part of Douglas County, including Eudora.

Once elected, Connie served in the Kansas State House for four terms, from 2009 to 2017. While in office, she focussed her work on issues related to education, immigration, energy, and tax reform. She served as the Chair of the Committee on Children and Seniors, and as a member of the Committees on Elections; Energy and Utilities; and Local Government. She also served as the Vice Chair on the Committee for Veterans, Military Affairs, and Homeland Security.

Today, Connie serves as the President of the Leavenworth County Republican Women and the Vice Chair of her local County Party organization. At age 76, she is now retired, and she lives on her family farm in rural Tonganoxie, Kansas, with her husband, Edward.

Maryland teacher Mary Risteau was also an adept politician

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Elementary school teacher Mary Risteau served in both the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate. Photo: National Women’s History Museum

Many excellent educators have also served their communities in political positions. One of these is Mary Risteau, an elementary school teacher who was elected to both the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate.

Mary was born April 24, 1890, in Towson, Maryland. As a young girl, she attended Towson High School, where she graduated in 1907. In 1912, she earned her undergraduate degree from Towson University, which at that time was known as Maryland State Normal School. She also completed an advanced course of study in mathematics at Johns Hopkins University in 1917. In 1938, Mary earned her LLB degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. In 1917, Mary Eliza launched her career as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore County.

Mary Eliza inaugurated her career in politics when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1921, just one year after the 19th Amendment granted women with the right to vote. There she represented Hartford County from 1922 through 1926, and again from 1931 through 1935, and yet again from 1951 through 1955, a total of four terms. While in the House, she successfully worked for the establishment of Maryland State Teachers College at Salisbury, and she was appointed to the State Board of Education, where she served for 16 years. She also served on the Committees on Education; Agriculture; Libraries; and Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries.

Mary also served in the Maryland State Senate from 1935 through 1937. There she represented the 2nd District. While in the Maryland Senate, she became the Chairperson of both the Agriculture and Labor Committees, the Vice Chair of its Education Committee, and a member of the Senate Temperance Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Federal Relations Committee. In addition, she was a strong advocate for women’s rights. In fact, she was a member of both the National Order of Women Legislators and its state affiliate, the Maryland Women’s Legislation Group. Among many other organizations, she held membership in the League of Women Voters.

Sadly, Mary Eliza passed away in Jarretsville, Maryland, on July 24, 1978. She was 88 years old. In 1987, the former teacher was inducted posthumously into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame. Additionally, the Mary E. W. Risteau Multi-services Center in Bel Air, Maryland, was named in her honor.

To read more about Chalkboard Champion Mary Eliza Risteau, click on this link to Maryland’s Women’s Heritage Center.

Educator Horatio Strother published volume about Underground Railroad

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Educator Horatio Strother of Connecticut published a highly-acclaimed volume about the Underground Railroad in Connecticut. Photo: Wesleyan University Press

Many excellent educators have also authored influential books. One of these was Horatio Strother, a history teacher who published a highly-acclaimed volume about the Underground Railroad in Connecticut.

Horatio was born on Feb. 1, 1930, in Harlem, New York. As a very young child, his family relocated to Middleton, Connecticut. There he attended Woodrow High School. In addition to his studies there, he excelled in athletics, including football and track and field. In fact, he he set a state record in the broad jump. In 1950, Horatio enlisted in the US Air Force and served four years of active duty in the Korean Conflict.

When his military service was completed, Horatio earned his Bachelor’s degree in History in 1956 and his Master’s degree in History in 1957, both from the University of Connecticut. During college, he was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the National Horos Society of History.

Once he earned his degrees, Horatio taught briefly at Killingsworth Elementary School. In 1959, he transferred to Nathan Hale-Ray High School in Moodys section of East Haddam. There he taught history and served as the Chair of the Social Studies Department. Later, Horatio taught history at South Central Community College in New Haven, where he earned a promotion to Assistant Professor.

Horatio spent years conducting research and collecting oral history interviews related to the Underground Railroad in Connecticut. This research culminated in a scholarly work that was published by Wesleyan University Press in 1962. The volume, regarded as the definitive text on the Underground Railroad in Connecticut, is still in print and is held in the collections of nearly 2,000 libraries around the country.

Sadly, Horatio Strother drowned on Sept. 14, 1974, while swimming in Hidden Lake near his home. He was only 44 years old. To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to the Haddam Killingworth News.